TC3Net completing fiber-optic network in Adrian

Sunday

Feb 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Daily Telegram staff

An Adrian fiber-optic project reached a milestone last month with a partnership between TC3 and the Merit Network Inc. to deliver telephone lines and broadband Internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps over single circuits.

The partnership is working off the just-completed foundation of the fiber build. The build extends from Siena Heights University and Jackson Community College in the north to form a ring in the west around Adrian College and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Siena Heights University is one of the users tied into the system, and other users are being added in the coming months in the “last mile” fiber-optic network construction phase.

For Adrian-based TC3, the fiber is the foundation for a Fiber to the Premise (FTTX) project. The project will serve various types of clients with phone and Internet services exceeding in performance and quality what is currently available in the area.

“I believe this is a fine example of how both public and private interests can come together and produce something that benefits the community at large,” Joseph Mattausch, president of TC3, said of the partnership with Merit, Michigan’s statewide research and education network.

Merit Network’s portion of the fiber build connects Merit’s backbone to Adrian College, Adrian Public Library, Jackson Community College and Siena Heights University, providing these institutions access to statewide collaboration that they will leverage to cut costs and provide more to their patrons and constituents.

“Merit is excited to partner with TC3Net on the construction of ‘last mile’ facilities in Adrian,” said Elwood Downing, Merit’s vice president of member relations, communications, services and product development. “Working with TC3 achieves a comprehensive approach for Adrian, benefitting all sectors of society and keeping with the spirit of the (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) grant to improve broadband resources for entire communities.”

The fiber network builds on the foundation created by the Rural, Education, Anchor, Community and Healthcare — Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) project. REACH-3MC is funded in part by grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program as part of the 2009 federal economic stimulus.

Led by Merit, REACH-3MC constructs advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan. In the process, Merit connects community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, health care and government by way of “laterals,” or spurs, from the mainline.

TC3, a REACH-3MC sub-recipient, has partnered with Merit on the construction of laterals to take the next step of expanding the REACH-3MC backbone to neighborhoods, businesses, educational institutions and municipal entities in Adrian.

The full implementation of the FTTX “last mile” network in Adrian will likely take years, but many residents and businesses will benefit within months.TC3 has more than 6,000 active customers in Lenawee County, according to company officials.

Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities, owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance.

REACH-3MC plans to build 2,287 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas.